Ex-AFP chief Villanueva faces graft raps over $1M refund

Former postmaster general, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Diomedio Villanueva, has been charged with graft over the alleged anomalous $1 million refund to the American-based firm Philpost USA.

The Office of the Ombudsman re-filed the case before the Sandiganbayan after it was previously dismissed by the Sandiganbayana 7th Division for fatally defective information.

The Ombudsman pointed out it could refile the case since Villanueva has not yet been arraigned.

Under the case, Villanueva is accused of refunding the amount to Philpost USA in 2003 as representation of Terminal Dues paid for mail matters sent to the Royal Mail in the United Kingdom.

However, the Ombudsman pointed out Villanueva was full aware that the Philpost USA was not entitled to the refund from the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC).

Also named as his co-accused in the case are former Assistant postmaster general Antonio Siapno and former accounting director Leonido Basilio.